Ethics Statement and Harassment Policy

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Participant Ethics

All participants including students, parents, teachers, judges, volunteers and employees are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards.

Student researchers, as well as adults who have a role in their projects,  must follow the Rules and Guidelines for participation in the Synopsys Championship and abide by the ethics statement on Form 1B and the SRC Ethics Statement.

Judges must follow the Conflict of Interest policy stated on the Judges page.

Harassment

The Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair (SCVSEFA) is committed to providing an environment for students, volunteers, and employees free of harassment of any kind. SCVSEFA will not tolerate harassment of students, volunteers, employees or anyone else associated with the Synopsys Championship.

Unacceptable Conduct

Any harassing conduct that interferes with a student’s, a volunteer’s, or an employee’s ability to participate in the Synopsys Championship or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for a student, volunteer, or employee is unacceptable.

Harassment may be verbal, visual, or physical in nature. Specific examples of prohibited harassing conduct include, but are not limited to: slurs, jokes, statements, notes, letters, electronic communication, pictures, drawings, posters, cartoons, gestures, unwelcome physical contact, assault, or persistent, repeated requests for exceptions to Synopsys Championship rules, policies, or guidelines.

Consequences

Students who violate this policy may have their project removed from competition or awards rescinded. Harassment by parents may result in their child’s project being removed from competition or awards rescinded.

Volunteers, including judges, who violate this policy will be asked to leave the Synopsys Championship and will be removed from our list of volunteers. A volunteer Director who is found to have violated this policy will be removed from the Board.

Any employee who, after an investigation, is found to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Reporting Incidents of Harassment

If you feel that you have been harassed or feel you have witnessed harassment, please report the incident to any member of the SCVSEFA Board of Directors.

A subcommittee of the Board of Directors will investigate the complaint and attempt to resolve the issue sensitively, promptly and effectively and, if warranted, take appropriate corrective action. Every effort will be made, to the extent possible, to maintain confidentiality.

Procedure for Filing a Concern/Suggestion

  1. Send a signed, written message describing the suggestion or concern to the fair manager or a director of SCVSEFA.
  2. If the initial response is not adequate, please request clarification from appropriate subcommittee.
  3. If response is still not adequate, please request discussion time at a future SCVSEFA Board of Directors meeting.

Procedure for Board Member Receiving a Concern/Suggestion

  1. If you are knowledgeable on the question/issue, please attempt to answer. Please blind copy the appropriate committee members. If you are not knowledgeable, please forward to the appropriate board/committee member to answer.
  2. If the issue does not appear to be addressed or resolved, the appropriate subcommittee will review the issue/responses and provide additional information, copying President-elect or designated SCVSEFA Board of Director’s recipient.
  3. If the issue is still not resolved and board meeting time is requested, the subcommittee provides history and background and recommended guidance.